History 1980s

1988 Rally Argentina

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1988 Rally Argentina

Date: July 24–28, 1988

Start Location: Córdoba, Argentina

Finish Location: Córdoba, Argentina

Total Distance: ~670 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1988 Rally Argentina delivered one of the most emotional wins in WRC history as Jorge Recalde triumphed on home soil. Navigating through the rugged Sierras de Córdoba, Recalde showcased extraordinary pace and composure in his Lancia Delta HF 4WD. Despite strong competition and brutal conditions, he maintained the lead and made history as the only South American driver to win a WRC event—a national icon was born.

Route

Traslasierra Region: Rugged, high-altitude gravel with loose rocks and cliffside drop-offs.
Mina Clavero: Known for tight, twisty descents and riverbed crossings that threatened mechanical integrity.
El Condor: One of the most famous stages—fog-prone, scenic, and treacherously narrow at altitude.

Argentina’s fast yet brutal gravel roads featured punishing terrain, wide elevation changes, and massive water crossings:

Cold, dry weather kept dust hanging in the air—challenging visibility and requiring tight timing on stage starts to avoid catching slower cars.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jorge Recalde & Jorge del Buono · Lancia Delta HF 4WD
2nd Place
Miki Biasion & Tiziano Siviero · Lancia Delta HF 4WD
3rd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Lancia Delta HF 4WD

Recalde’s historic win brought national pride to Argentina, with a Lancia 1–2–3 finish sealing another dominant performance for the Italian team.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Rocky Riverbeds: Tire damage and underbody hits were common—tactical pace was vital to survival.
  • Altitude Effects: Thin air impacted engine power and driver concentration on mountain stages.
  • Local Pressure: Recalde faced immense national expectations but turned it into focused, mistake-free driving.

The 1988 Rally Argentina will forever be remembered for Jorge Recalde’s landmark win—an event that blended technical brilliance, local pride, and Lancia’s relentless push toward the championship.

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